The governor’s office spoke of an “irregular police action” and accused the officers of “kidnapping” Camacho. After the arrest, his supporters blocked streets in Santa Cruz. They clashed with the police and set fire to the local prosecutor’s office. Initially, no injuries were reported.
Dozens of supporters of the opposition politician also flocked to both Santa Cruz airports to prevent Camacho’s transfer to La Paz. Several flights had to be canceled because of the protests.
In June, Bolivia’s former interim president Jeanine Áñez was sentenced to ten years in prison in connection with the overthrow of her predecessor Morales. Former Senate Vice President Áñez temporarily assumed the highest office in November 2019 after Morales resigned and went into exile in the face of mass protests and pressure from the army.
In the presidential election in October 2020, Morales’ party friend Luis Arce won, Camacho finished third. A month later, Morales returned to Bolivia and resumed leadership of the governing party MAS, which he had founded.
